San Francisco based Health Support Systems (HSS) today announced the launch of an online disease management portal, offered free to individual users.
(http://www.healthsupportsystems.com)

This service helps people living with chronic conditions like diabetes, obesity, hypertension or heart disease better manage their health through a combination of self-monitoring, education and qualitative analysis. Users enter and track various health related parameters, monitor improvements through charts and reports, analyze their risk profile, discuss issues at the health forum, and collaborate with care givers or physicians who are subscribed to HSS.

“By providing a completely customizable solution, HSS puts the power of technology in the hands of individual patients and their care givers” says Dr. Jaan Sidorov, former Board member of the Disease Management Association of America (DMAA), former Medical Director of the Geisinger Care Coordination Program, and now an advisor to Health Support Systems.

Otto Wolke, CEO of Schellen & Partners Inc and an advisor for HSS, adds: “Disease management vendors currently spend a lot of money having highly trained DM nurses make routine phone calls to patients from call centers. A solution like HSS handles and organizes many of the routine exchanges of information, allowing DM companies to utilize their nurse resources more efficiently.”

The subscription service can also be used by corporations. By subscribing their employees to a DM or wellness program, companies benefit from fewer employee sick days, higher productivity, and lower employee-related health costs. “The wellness aspect allows the individual employee to build a personal health record and keep diaries on their exercise, diet, and weight condition and progress.” says Dr. Susan Jennings, a DMAA board member and advisor to HSS.

“Health Support Systems represents the next stage for the rapidly growing disease management industry,” says Lee Hagelshaw, HSS co-founder. “We will make a positive impact on the cost side of the equation, enabling delivery of high-quality DM and wellness services at costs substantially below the current offerings.”